August 16, 2005
“Extreme makeovers” are all the rage. They stir our emotions and inspire us to get involved with helping others. North Springs Alliance Church members in Colorado Springs, Colorado, are no exception. Recently, they took the idea of a home makeover seriously when they embarked on a major renovating project at Family Life Services, a transitional housing complex for abused women and their children.
“Initially, I thought this was my great idea,” says church member Tracy Petrie, who spearheaded the venture with another North Springs attendee, Raleigh Holt. “When I approached Raleigh about organizing an ‘extreme home makeover’ as a community outreach, he said that he had already been working on the idea for a year.”
The project was billed as a “double outreach,” says Petrie. “Focusing on Acts 1:8, we challenged our people to get out of their comfort zones.” Volunteers recruited unchurched neighbors and acquaintances to join them. Local businessmen and merchants were approached, and they welcomed the opportunity to contribute.
“More than 800 collective hours of labor and $15,000 in donations came from the community,” Petrie says. Electricians, plumbers, building suppliers, and a home builder offered grants, materials, and labor. “Even a coffee shop kept our cups filled.”
When the work was finished, the twofold mission had been accomplished. Relationships developed between church members, who see each other only on Sunday mornings. The practical demonstration of Christ’s love impacted the lives of those who volunteered and those who benefited.
“I work out at a gym with the man I invited,” says church member John Zuch. “It turns out we both have experience working with tile, so I asked him if he’d like to join me in this project.” Zuch spent two days side-by-side with his fellow gym enthusiast, explaining his motivation for helping. “It’s all about Jesus,” he says. “That day, my friend turned from his own good efforts to accepting the gift of salvation made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Extreme makeover, whether in the United States or Southeast Asia, Africa or Latin America, is not a new concept in The Alliance. Helping people and sharing God’s love is The Alliance.